Abstract
Adult male circumcision has been shown to reduce the transmission of
HIV. Women’s acceptability of male circumcision is important in Papua
New Guinea’s preparedness to introduce male circumcision, and in ethical
considerations of its use as a biomedical technology for HIV
prevention. We conducted 21 focus group discussions and 18 in-depth
interviews with women in all four regions of Papua New Guinea. The
majority of women objected to the introduction of male circumcision for
three main reasons: circumcision would result in sexual risk
compensation; circumcision goes against Christian faith; and
circumcision is a new practice that is culturally inappropriate. A
minority of women accepted male circumcision for the prevention of HIV
and other sexually transmitted infections, and for the benefit of penile
hygiene and health. Women’s objections to circumcision as a biomedical
method of preventing HIV reemphasize the importance of sociocultural and
behavioral interventions in Papua New Guinea.